Indirect lighting system



Juy 39 1934. R. B. BENJAMIN 1,965,170

INDIRECT LIGHTING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 19, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet l July 39 1%34,

R. B. BENJAMIN INDIRECT LIGHTING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 19, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 www E Juy 3, E934. R. B. BENJAMIN INDIRECT LIGHTING SYSTEM- Filed sept. 19, 195o '4 sheets-sheet 5 JUHY 3 '1934- R. B. BENJAMIN INDIRECT LIGHTING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 19, 1930 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 ,m a Mw W m ,M M

Patented July 3, 1934 diran STATES INDIRECT LIGHTING SYSTEM Reuben lB. Benjamin, Chicago, Ill., assigner to Benjamin Electric Manufacturing fCompany, Des Plaines, Ill., a corporation of illinois Application September 19, i930, Serial No. 482,947

ll. Claims. ('Cl. 2420-9) My invention relates to indirect lighting systems and more particularly to systems including adjustable and removable iixtures provided with suitable reiiectors and which are preferably arranged and supported behind a suitable moulding to provide an/ even distribution of light to a room ceiling.

The device is arranged for use with either cove ceilings or flat ceilings, and contemplates the use of a suitable wiring channel or conduit mounted on the wall of the room adjacent the ceiling and containing wires for suitable electric circuits. Receptacles are adjustably mounted in any desired spaced relation on the wiring conduit and a suitable elongated reflector having a twin socket therein is removably supported in each receptacle, the electrica?. connector blades of the twin socket forming the supporting members.

The reector is mounted on the socket for radial adjustment in order to direct the light across the ceiling as desired and in such a manner as to provide an even illumination. Each rei-lector is provided with a plurality of electric lamps and a suitable number of conductors are provided in the wiring channel and connected to 'the lamps through the receptacle and twin socket,

so that different colored lights may be used in each reflector on separate circuits controlled by suitable switches therein.` The contour of the reflector is such that while the direct rays from the lamps are evenly distributed over the ceiling, the reected rays are directed toward the center ci the ceiling, and farthest from the reflector, thereby providing a uniform intensity of light over the entire area. The entire device is concealed by means of suitable moulding which is also removably mounted on the wiring channel.

t is an object of my invention to provide an indirect lighting means comprising a plurality of removable lighting units which may be supported on a suitable wiring channel and which maybe spaced thereon according to the requirements of the room to be lighted, and having means provided therein Whereby the lighting fixtures may be electrically connectedto their respective circuits without cutting the wires.

My invention also contemplates an open front conduit having receptacles for removably supporting lighting xtures and mounted for longitudinal adjustment thereon and arranged to be electrically connected with conductors in said conduit without breaking the continuity of the conductors.

I also provide an eicient reiiector mounting means whereby the re-lector may be angularly adjusted around the light source to obtain an even illumination over the ceiling.

A further object of ythe device is to provide an indirect ceiling or cove lighting fixture. which may be easily attached or removed with respect 8C to a suitable wiring conduit, the entire device being concealed by means of a molding also mounted on the conduit.

Further objects will be apparent from the specifications and the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a transverse section illustrating one embodiment of my invention and taken on a line corresponding to line l-l of Fig. 3;

Fig. 2 is a sectional perspective viewrof a poritl tion of the wiring conduit;

Fig` 3 is a front view of the device with the moulding removed, two or' the lighting xtures being shown in assembled spaced relation on the conduit;

Fig. It is a iront view of a portion of the conduit with a receptacle attached thereto, the twin socket which is used in the reflector being shownin a position to be inserted inl the receptacle and partially in section; Y

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view through the embodiment shown in Fig. 4 and takenon a line corresponding to line 5 5 of Fig. a;

Fig. v6 is a perspective back View of one of the receptacles removed from the conduit;

Fig. 7 is a top plan View of the twin socket with the upper `half or cover removed;

Fig. 8 is a perspective View of theshell or side contact clip and connector blade used in the twin socket; A

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one of the twin socket center contacts and its integral connector blade;

Fig. 10 is'a plan View of the open end oi the reiiector, the glass covers being removed and a portion of one end of the iixture being broken away;

Fig. 11 is a transverse section through the socket shield and taken on a line substantially corresponding to line 11-11 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary detail View of one of the supporting membersv pivoted on the end of the reflector; and

Fig. 13 is a wiring diagramillustrating the circuit and controlling switches when the device is connected to a two-wire lighting circuit.

Referring to the drawings ln detail the em bodiment illustrated comprises a rectangular conduit 1 which is supported on the wall of the room to be lighted and at adeslred distance from the ceiling and which may extend entirely around the room, receptacles 2 which are removably mounted on the conduit 1, and a plurality of wiring fixtures 3 which are arranged to be plugged into the receptacles and thereby be electrically clips 5 are secured to the back of the connector section as illustrated. p

In mounting the device the conduit 1 is first loosely mounted on the wall in the desired spaced relation from the ceiling by means of screws 8. The connector bases 6 of the receptacles 2 are then mounted on the conduits in any desired 'spaced relation and the conduit screws 8 are then tightened securely, clamping the conduit against the receptacle clips 5, thus supporting the recep- `'tacle base and conduit rigidly in position against 'the wall.

The contactor wires 4 are then bared of insulation at suitable intervals at the bench before placing them in position and they are then strung along and laid in the conduit with the bared portions suitably positioned so as to lie in front of the receptacle bases 6, as shownin Fig. 4, these bases being provided with a plurality of grooves.

9 in which are secured wiring terminals 10 having binding screws l1 thereon, to which the bared portions of the conductor wires 4 are secured.

Spring contacts members 12 are secured to the terminals 10 inl a. position to engage the connector blades of the reflector socket when they are inserted in the receptacle. The receptacle bases 6 are mounted on the conduit around the room in a desired spaced relation and after the wires are secured thereto conduit cover plates 13, of a length corresponding to the receptacle spacing, are secured against the face of the conduit Iby means of screws 14 and clips- 15, which latter are arranged to engage under the inturned edges '16 of the conduit when the screws are tightened.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 4, these clips 15 areI 'carried by the threaded ends of the screws 17 and are so designed that when the screws are turned clockwise, as shown in Fig. 4, the ends of the clips will sli`p under the edges of the channel and engage the \side of the channel to limit theirA further turning movement so that they are thus stopped in latching position. Further turning 'of the screws will draw the clips 15 outwardly to clamp the ends oi the clips 15 against the inner surface of the flanges or lnturned edges 16.

The receptacle cover member 7 is then secured in position, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, by means of screws 17 which extend through the base and are screwed into the supporting clips 5.

The cover section cooperates with the base 6 to provide receptacle openings 18 and 19 in the assembled base and in alignment with the contact members 12 to receive the connector blades 'of the reector socket. l

The lighting iixture 3 comprises a reflector 20 having a twin socket 2l secured therein and centrally located in the reilector. Socket 21 comprises a lower connector base 22 .and an upper section or cover 23. The connector section 22 has a downwardly extending portion 24 which extends through an -enlarged opening 25 in the reilector, which opening allows rotary adjustment of the reflector-around the socket.

A strap 26 is clamped around each end of the socket 21 by means of screws 27. These straps are riveted to the reflector as indicated at 28 and it will be noted that by this means the reiiector is mounted for limited rotary movement around the socket, thereby allowing the reiiectcr to be adjusted for the desired illumination for any ordinary sized ceiling.

The sockets 21 are so constructed that suitable lamps 29 may be inserted therein by simple swinging or angular movement without the necessity of the usual screwing-in operation, the lampreceiving recess being flaredl at 30 for this purpose. The lamps, when inserted, are held in position by spring members 31 secured to the end of the reflector and pressing against the end of the lamp 20. The sockets 2l are provided with center contacts 32 terminating in connector blades 33, and with a side contact comprising a spring clip 34 secured to a downwardly extending connector blade 35.

The spring clip 34 extends longitudinally into lthe lamp receiving openings 36 and the inturned 38 in the transverse inner wall, or partition of the twin socket. In assembling the socket, the side connector blade 35 is inserted Idownwardly through a slot 39 in the lower base 22 with the clip 34 engaged in the longitudinal groove 40. The center contacts 32 are then inserted in the base with the vconnector blades 33 extending downwardly through suitable slots 41. The upper base or cover 23 is then placed on the lower base and located thereon by means of the center contacts -32 extending upwardly into locating slots 42. The upper base is also slotted at 40a to conform to the slot 40 in the lower base, thereby providing a locating means for the spring clip 34.

The upper and lower bases of the socket are then inserted in the reflector and secured together by the clamping straps 26 previously described. It will be noted that with the twin socket assembled in this manner the connector blades are in staggered parallel relation corresponding to the staggered parallel relation oi the center and shell contact receptacle openings 18 and 19. This staggered relation provides a suitable locating means for the connector blades and also assists in the rigid support of the socket and associated reflector. The lighting fixture also includes a trough-like angular reiiector 43 having reflecting surfaces arranged to direct the reected rays toward the center of the room in order to reinforce the longer direct rays from the light source and to provide an even illumination over the ceiling.

The spaced ring-like straps 26 are riveted to desired angular position, the angular adjustment i being made possible by means of the enlarged slot 25.

The mouth of the reflector is closed by glass plates or lens 46, each plate covering one-hah of the reector opening. These glass plates are engaged in a groove 47 in the lower edge of the glass plate is necessary in order that the lamps 29 may be easily renewed.

A sheet metal combined socket cover and plate separator is engaged between the straps 26 and is provided with down-turned sides 53 conforming to the contour of the reiiector, and an upwardly extending rib 54, which serves as a locating means for the reiiector glass 46. The upper surface of the member 53 is angularly disposed at 55 to allow the light to be directed adjacent the edge of the reflector cover plate.

Downwardly extending straps 56 are pivoted at 57 on the ends of the reflector. These straps are notched at 58 and are arranged to engage the outer edge of the angular conduit 1 (Fig. 12) when the connector blades of the lighting xture 3 are inserted in the receptacle 2. The straps 56 form supporting means for the ends of the fixture to prevent angular displacement.

It will be understood from the above description that the receptacles 2 may be located at any point desired on the conduit 1 and easily connected to the conductors therein without cutting the wires. The conduit covers 13 may be furnished in stocks lengths suitable for any desired standard spacing of the lighting units or covers of various lengths may be used in the same system to provide various spacings of the lighting xtures.

In Fig. 13, I have illustrated the method of wiring for use with a two-wire lighting system. It will be obvious that the device may be used with a three phase system, or with a three-wire system, if desired, theconstruction and method of connecting the receptacle to the wires allowing the several lighting units to be perfectly balanced between the two branches o! the circuit.

In the'use of the two-wire system, as shown, switches 59 are included in the circuits in such a manner that only one light in each ilxture is in parallel in each circuit. By this arrangement colored lights may be used. For instance, all of the lights on one circuit may be o1' oney color and all of the lights on the other circuit may be of another color, thereby allowing the individual use of either color or the combined use of both.

Removable brackets 60 are hooked over and supported on the conduit 1, as shown in Fig. 1, and a molding 61 of any desiredshape may be secured thereto by means of screws 62. This molding rests against the Wall below the conduit and maybe extended infront ofthe fixture high enough to form a suitable light cut-ofi'.

While` the sockets are shown as mechanically and electrically connected with a wiring base by means of the blade connectors, it is obvious that the connection might be eiected in other ways, as by means of metallic screws. While the ornamental molding is shown as secured to and mounted on the wire conduit, it is obviousthat it might be otherwise supported. It is also obvious that the lower part of the twin socket might be made integral with the wiring base.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and I desire, therefore, to be limited only by the prior art and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A plug-in lighting xturecomprisinga twin' socket having upper and lower insulating bases, center and side contact members supported in said socket, connector blades extending from said socket, a, reflector supported adjacent said socket,

and means on said reector for securing all of' said parts in assembled relation.

2. A plug-in lighting fixture comprising a twin socket having upper and lower insulating bases, center and side contact members vsupported in said socket, connector blades extending from said socket, a reector, and means for clamping said bases together and supporting said reflectorin rotarially adjustable relation thereto.

3. A ceiling lighting device ofthe character described, comprising an open conduit, a wiring base arranged to be attached at any point on sad conduit, a lighting xturehaving a quick detachable connection with respectto said wiring base and comprising a horizontally-disposed lamp socket having its axis substantially parallelI to the conduit, a reector having a portion lying between said socket and said base and extending substantially paralel to said conduit, the contour of said reector enabling the even distribution of the direct rays over the ceiling and the direction of the reiiected rays toward the center of the ceiling. v

4. A ceiling lighting device of the character described, comprising an open conduit, a wiring base arranged to b e attached at'any point on said conduit, a lighting :fixture arranged for wireless connection to said wiring base and compris` ing a horizontally-disposed lamp socket having its axis substantially parallel to the conduit, a reflector having a portion lying between said socket and said base and extending substantially parallel to said conduit, the contour of said re'- ector enabling the even distribution of the direct rays over the ceiling and the direction of the reflected rays toward the center of the ceiling, and means for adjusting the angular4 position of said reector relative to the light source,.

5. An indirect lighting system of the character described, comprising an open conduit, wiring bases removaby mounted in spaced relation on said conduit, removable conduit covers between said bases, and lighting fixtures removably mounted on said bases and comprising sockets having their axes substantially parallel to the conduit and having rotarially adjustable troughlike reectors mounted thereon for movement about the axes of the sockets, said reiiectors ex-` tending substantially parallel to said conduit.

6. A lighting construction comprising a wiring channel to be secured with its back to avertical wall and having an open front, wiring bases detachably mounted on said channel and spaced from each other, lamp receptacles detachably connected with said wiring bases respectively, and cover plates for covering the open front of the channel between the wiring bases, each receptacle having vertical downwardly-extending conductor blades and each wiring base having wiringterminals for the wires on the wiring channel and having contact members above said wir`ng terminals for detachable engagement with said vertical contact blades, each said receptacle comprising a lamp socket having provisions for cover vplates fo'r covering the openifront of the channel between the wiring bases, each receptacle having vertical downwardly-extending conductor blades and each wiring base having wiring terminals for the Wires on the wiring channel and having contact members above said wiring terminals for detachable engagement with said vertical contact blades, each said receptacle comprising a lamp socket having provisions for supporting a lamp with its axis parallel to the wiring channel, and a trough-like reflector mounted on said socket and adjustable about the axis of the lamp.

8. A lighting construction comprising a wiring channel, Wiring bases detachably mounted on said channel, and wiring terminals on said bases for connection with the wires in the channel, each wiring base being provided with means embracing the channel to hold it in place thereon, said holding means comprising a metal clip secured to said base and engaging the channel on the side opposite the base.

9. An electrical wiring system comprising a wiring channel having an open front, a wiring e base outside'said channel and secured thereto and extending across the open front thereof, wiring terminals on the front face of said wiring base,

and an insulating cover secured to said wiring base and covering said wiring terminals, whereby the wires secured to said wiring terminals may extend across the front face of the wiring base and be covered by said insulating cover.

10. A three-wire two-circuit wiring system comprising a wiring channel for the three wires, and a wiring base and lamp receptacle construction mounted on said channel comprising an insulating support, three wiring terminals thereon for the wires in the channel. and two sockets for supporting lamps extending in alignment in opposite direction from the receptacle, each socket having one contact electrically connected with the same wiring terminal and each socket having another contact electrically connected with the other two wiring terminals, respectively, whereby the two circuits may be used together or independently to secure diierent colored lighting eiects.

1l. A lighting construction comprising a wiring channel, a convenience outlet carried by said channel provided with blade-receiving recesses, a lighting construction comprising a unitary member having contact blades for engaging the contacts of said convenience outlet, a trough-like reflector, a lamp contact, 'and holder means for supporting a lamp with its axis extending longitudinally of said trough-like reiector, said blades extending transverselywith respect to the axis of said trough-like reilector and said troughlike reector extending longitudinally oi said channel.

REUBEN B. BENJAW. 

